What a difference the pellet makes

At least.

 

I'm not disregarding anything. I'm soaking it all in. My first season with pellets. Leaning a lot from this site.

 

Jay, your use of that pellet roaster will likely change over time. Most of the folks on here have been through it and don't want others to go through the hard knocks method of learning. We call ourselves hoarders as a result and usually it is more than just fuel. Here there is good supply of eats as well. Cuts out store runs in bad weather. Spare basic stove parts.

 

Don't remind me. I haven't fired up my fermenter since I bottled my cider early this year. Have a pile of orange blossom honey to do a large batch of mead not likely anytime soon.

ETA: time to go upstairs visit with the boss and get hassled by the cat.

 

You used the word fermenter in the singular! I have twelve and have had them all filled at once. I also have twelve serving kegs. Unfortunately they are mostly empty. Working on it as well as pellets.

 

I actually have 4 rarely have more than 2 going at a time takes me a while to drink a batch there's 1 of me the boss doesn't drink. These days I don't drink fouls up one of my meds.

 

I use pellets as primary heat when oil is high and secondary when oil is cheap. That said even when used a secondary heat I will burn 2 ton and last year was the only year that happened. Primary heat means 5-6 ton pellets and a tank of oil for hot water and helping in the bad cold snaps.

Others have pointed this out but you are getting your feet wet following a glut season of pellets and likely somewhat similar this year. What your pellet dealer isnt telling you is what happened 2-3 winters ago when oil was above 4 bucks a gallon, we had a serious winter and no one had pellets available late January. People who didnt stock up early were calling daily to be able to pick up 10-20 bags as most sellers had to ration what they had.

I am planning on less pellets again this year but still have 5.5 ton available just in case.

 

Got to keep the cat happy.

 

Jay, try a high ash burn pot in that Mini.

 

Any links to what this might be?

 

http://enviro.com/images/manuals-brochures/Cheat Sheets/Burn Pot Liner.pdf

 

Looks like they don't have one for the mini.

 

What does a high ash liner allow you to do?

 

Burn high ash pellets.

 

I was kinda of looking for what is different to make it burn better. Curious minds want to know.

 

The air flow doesn't get blocked as easily.

 

Your trial with Ambiance likely would have gone differently. You know that the mag reading is actually different for every pellet? You can not just change pellets and in fact it can differ between pellet batches.

ETA: End of lesson the cat wants a pat or something.

 

That's interesting to know. I plan on permanently hooking up the gauge to the stove. Just trying to find some 1/8 inch copper tubing.